DIY mosquito and tick control can help in the short term. But for long-term protection, nothing beats professional treatment.
If you’ve been spraying your yard with store-bought products and still getting bitten, you might wonder if you’re doing something wrong. And the answer, most likely, is nothing. The products just aren’t able to provide the level of pest control that you expect or need.
Store-bought products work on contact, but break down quickly in sunlight and rain. A backyard spray from the hardware store will probably give you a few hours of relief from the buzzing of mosquitoes. But by the next evening, populations will likely be back where they started.
Citronella candles, tiki torches, and essential oil diffusers are even less effective. Studies show that these products offer minimal protection beyond a very small radius, and even that fades quickly. They are better than nothing if you’re sitting right by them, but they won’t help with mosquitoes across your yard. On ticks, DIY pest control has an even worse track record. Ticks don’t fly, so candles or air-based repellents aren’t useful.
The other issue is coverage. Most homeowners underestimate how much product is needed to treat their full yard. Professional applicators use commercial equipment, and this helps provide even, thorough coverage across the entire property, including areas you might not think to treat like under decks, along fence lines, and in shaded landscaping beds.
DIY pest control can help with short-term problems. But if you’re worried about the pest season, and not just the afternoon or evening, professional help goes a long way.
If you’re a Winchendon homeowner who wants reliable, season-long control, Mosquito Squad of Worcester can help. With recurring barrier treatments, you can see a great reduction in mosquitoes and ticks—up to 85-90%. Treatments are applied every 21 days using professional-grade, EPA-registered products and commercial application equipment that ensures full coverage across your property.
